Is it safe to use toothpaste after its expiration?

Will toothpaste expire? Can we use toothpaste after its expiration?

Toothpaste is in use since 5000 BC whereas in the 1850s, some ingredients were added and the smooth paste texture was obtained. Another interesting this, toothpaste was sold in jars until 1880. After a string of modifications such as replacing ingredients, adding new additives, the modern toothpastes we are currently using were developed in the second half of the 20th century.

It would be interesting as you might not know this toothpaste story. Similar to this, many people do not know the fact that toothpaste will expire.

Are you one of those people? This article is for you. Keep reading my friend.

What is the shelf life of toothpaste?

Normally, toothpastes have a mean life of 2 years from the date of manufacturing. However, the expiration date is determined by the effectiveness of active ingredients in toothpaste.

What are the active ingredients in toothpaste?

Mostly, toothpastes are formulated with 5 components. They are:  Fluoride - Fluoride is a natural cavity fighter, helps teeth remineralization and supports strengthening the teeth enamel thereby many toothpaste manufacturers use this as an active ingredient. However, there are some fluoride-free toothpastes in which alternatives like activated charcoal are used.

 Abrasives - Calcium carbonate, sodium metaphosphate, calcium pyrophosphate, and some other chemical compounds are added in this viscous liquid for abrasiveness. This helps in scrubbing away the stains, plaque build-up on teeth surfaces.  Flavours - Toothpaste does not contain sugar yet they have a sweet taste because of the benign sweetening agents like xylitol, Sacharin, Sorbitol, or others.  Humectants - Water holds 20 to 42 percentage of toothpaste and protects the toothpaste from drying out. Humectants like glycol or glycerol are added to preserve the toothpaste's fluid compounds.  Detergents - The role of detergent ingredients like sodium lauryl sulfate is to loosen the surface deposits or stains, lower the surface tension. Foaming while brushing occurs due to this constituent.

As these toothpaste contents cannot be preserved for a long time, the paste color, the taste will change. And finally, the ingredients will separate followed by toothpaste will lose efficacy after expiration.

Can we use expired toothpaste?

Yes. Expired toothpastes are not that bad to harm your teeth but you cannot enjoy the full benefits a new toothpaste provides. As fluoride is the primary ingredient of toothpaste, it begins to break down after expiration so that it cannot penetrate the teeth, fortify the teeth enamel.

In essential, brushing teeth expired toothpaste neither harm nor benefit you. Your teeth cleaning activity will remain neutral.

Instead of brushing with such toothpaste, simply brush your teeth without water or toothpaste.

It is called dry brushing and it is more effective than using toothpaste after expiration.

Bottom line Like almost everything, toothpastes also have their expiration date and become less effective in teeth cleaning. Meanwhile, you should keep the stuff fresh during its lifetime to prevent microbial contamination and hold its efficiency. For instance, placing toothpaste in a warm environment tends to detach the ingredients.

Hence you should store this cleaning substance in a chill environment. Likewise, don't let it open for a while. Place it in a tight container. Once you find your toothpaste is expired, replace it with a new one.

Dr. B. Kanagasabapathy MDS